Ravenshoe. By Henry Kingsley.

324 RAVENSHOE.
"I do not," said Mackworth; " but I certainly shall try to discover, and most certainly I shall succeed. William might die on
this very expedition. You might prove your case. If anything
were to happen to William, I most certainly hope you may, and
will give you every assistance. For half a loaf is better than no
bread. And beside, Charles also might be killed, or die of cholera.
As it is, I shall not move in the matter. I shall not help you to
bring a Protestant to Ravenshoe. Now don't think me a heartless man for talking like this; I am nothing of the kind. But I
am talking to two very shrewd men of the world, and I talk as a
man of the world; that is all."
At this point, Lord Hainault said, -" What is that? " and left
the room. Lord Saltire and Mackworth were alone together.
"lNow, my dear sir," said Lord Saltire, " I am glad you have
spoken merely as a man of the world. It makes matters so much
easier. You could help us if you would."
Mackworth laughed. " Of course I could, my lord. I could
bring the whole force of the Catholic Church, at my back, to give
assistance. With our powers of organization, we could discover
all about the marriage in no time (if it ever took place, which I
don't choose to believe just now). Why it would pay us to search
minutely every register in England, if it were to keep such a
house in the hands of the Church. But the Catholic Church, in
my poor person, politely declines to move all its vast machinery,
to give away one of its best houses to a Protestant."
"I never supposed that the dear old lady would do anything
of the kind. But, as for Mr. Mackworth, will nothing induce
him to move his vast machinery in our cause?"
" I am all attention, my lord."
"In case of our finding Charles, then?"' Yes," said Mackworth, calmly.
"Twenty thousand?"
"No," said Mackworth. "It would n't do. Twenty million
would n't do. You see there is a difference between a soldier
disguising himself, and going into the enemy's camp,.to lie, and it
may be, murder, to gain information for his own side, and the
same soldier deserting to the enemy, and giving information.
The one is a hero, and the other a rogue. I am a hero. You
must forgive me putting matters so coarsely, but you distrust me
so entirely that I am forced to do so."
"I do not think you have put it so coarsely," said Lord Saltire. "I have to ask your forgiveness for this offer of money,
which you have so nobly refused. They say, every man has his
price. If this is the case, yours- is a very high one, and you
should be valued accordingly."
" Now, my lord, before we conclude this interview, let me tell